From 22 to 25 May, the city of Laâyoune is hosting the third edition of the Maghreb Forum of Elected Women, with the participation of women from the three regions of the south of the Kingdom and Maghreb countries.

The kick-off for this forum was given on Wednesday at the congress headquarters in Laâyoune in the presence of Khalil Dakhil, Wali of the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region, and is being held under the theme “Common cultural and spiritual ties as a basis for tolerance, development, and Maghreb unity”.

This meeting, held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, is initiated by the Sakia El Hamra Association for Women's Renaissance in collaboration with the General Directorate of Local Authorities, the Wilaya of the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region, the Agency for the Economic and Social Promotion of the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom, the organisation United Cities and Local Governments of Africa, and the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa.

According to the organisers, this meeting is an opportunity for dialogue and collective reflection, as well as a space for exchange through workshop sessions focusing on successful experiences at the local and regional levels.

According to them, the forum aims to reach recommendations, proposals, and alternatives that can contribute to the valorisation and promotion of the work of elected women in the management of local public affairs.

During this four-day meeting, debates will focus on “Improving the capacities of elected women in the management of local affairs”, “Strengthening the capacities of female associative actors”, “Tools for encouraging the democratic participation of women in local human development in Maghreb countries”, as well as a series of workshops themed “The secrets of success for elected women”, “Rooting the culture of tolerance and respect for human rights”, and round tables on common spiritual ties between Maghreb countries and international conventions relating to women's rights.

This forum will also highlight the local experience of Sahrawi Moroccan women in the management of local affairs and their daily contribution to improving the living conditions of the population, as is the case with the municipal council of Laâyoune where five women sit, and will allow for an exchange of experiences with women from the Southern provinces who are members of the two Chambers of the Moroccan Parliament.